Personal Care Homes

Finding the perfect retirement housing option for yourself or for the senior in your life can be very challenging. With so many different options to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which type of housing will be most effective for you. Personal care homes are a great choice for seniors who need daily assistance but want to remain in the comfort of a residential home. Read on to find out more about personal care homes and how they can benefit the senior in your life.

What is a personal care home?

A personal care home is a residential care facility, usually a stand-alone home, where a small number of seniors receive room, board in addition to daily care as needed. Personal care homes are small and provide many of the comforts of home in a flexible and relaxed setting. Personal care homes typically do not provide skilled nursing care or other medical care on site, although some do if their staff has the requisite training. They are often run by the owners of the home themselves, who have training and experience in senior care.

What amenities do personal care homes offer?

Personal care homes offer a variety of amenities for seniors. Seniors living in personal care homes have either a private room or a shared room with another senior. Typically, personal care homes have less than 10 residents, so there’s a lot of privacy and personal attention. The staff in a personal care home provide three meals daily as well as assistance with tasks of daily living that the senior may struggle with, such as dressing, bathing and running errands. Personal care homes offer a welcoming and homey atmosphere where seniors are provided with companionship and flexibility that they might not get in a larger nursing home or retirement home. Personal care homes are also outfitted with safety measures to help disabled seniors, such as grab bars, wheelchair ramps and lifts, and emergency buttons throughout the house. While personal care homes usually don’t provide full medical care to seniors, they can assist with taking medication, monitoring existing health conditions, helping with exercise and mobility, and taking seniors to doctors’ appointments. Some personal care homes provide assistance with memory care and Alzheimer’s as well.

How much do personal care homes cost?

The cost of a personal care home varies depending on the amenities and services provided, as well as the location of the home. Since personal care homes are usually located in residential neighborhoods, their costs are typically correlated with the going rent prices in the area. However, personal care homes are still usually much less expensive than larger, luxurious assisted living facilities that provide the same services, so they can be a great choice for seniors who are on a budget and need care. Personal care homes range in cost from $1500 to $4000 per month on average, depending on the location and size of the home. If you opt for a personal care home with memory care services, that cost may go up by over $1000 or more. Some insurance plans cover the costs of personal care homes, so be sure to check and see what your policy covers before you start looking at options. If you don’t currently need senior care but think you may in the future, another solution is to take out a long-term care insurance policy, which will most likely cover the cost of a personal care home.

What are the benefits of personal care homes?

There are many benefits to seniors of living in a personal care home. The biggest benefit is that it is a safe environment where they will receive the care they need. Many seniors reach a point where they cannot attend to their own health and personal needs by themselves anymore, and they need some extra help to go about their daily lives safely. Personal care homes provide these services in a very personal and caring manner, and have a focus on helping seniors feel comfortable and happy.

Another benefit of personal care homes is that they feel more like a home and less like a medical facility as compared to a larger assisted care home. This is very beneficial for seniors’ mental and emotional well-being, and it makes the transition from living independently to assisted living much easier and more comfortable. Since the facility is so small, it makes it easier for seniors to develop personal relationships with their caregivers as well as the other seniors in the facility. Having positive social interactions is very important for staying healthy and happy. For seniors who are introverted and might get overwhelmed in a larger facility, staying a personal care home is a great way to get the care and social interaction they need in a safe setting.

Finally, personal care homes are very flexible, which is helpful for seniors who need assisted care but still want to have some aspects of their life independent. For example, seniors in personal care homes can easily participate in their favorite hobbies and activities, and caregivers can make an effort to adhere to their personal needs and requests. Seniors can also have family and friends visit them at personal care homes, and if they are able, they can leave to visit their family and participate in other activities as desired. The price of personal care homes is also much lower than other senior care facilities, which is very helpful for seniors who are on a budget with their care requirements.

What are the downsides of personal care homes?

There are some downsides of personal care homes, and they’re not the best fit for all seniors. One of the biggest downsides to personal care homes is that the bedrooms are not always private, unlike in senior living apartments. Some seniors may struggle with this, particularly if they’re used to living alone. Sharing so much time with other seniors and caregivers in such a close environment may also be a downside for seniors who like to be independent. These homes are usually not the best fit for seniors who are still mostly healthy and are able to go about their day on their own.

Another downside is that medical care is not available on site, so for seniors who struggle with chronic health conditions, personal care homes may not provide enough support to keep them healthy. While employees at personal care homes can help with medication and other preventative healthcare-related tasks, they cannot actually provide treatment, so seniors will have to go off-site to get their medical care. A skilled nursing facility near you may be a better fit for seniors who need medical care every day.

What should I look for in a personal care home?

There are many factors to keep in mind when searching for personal care homes for yourself or the senior in your family. The first thing to look at is the quality of care provided. Find out what level of assistance seniors receive with their daily tasks and medical challenges, and make sure it’s a good fit for your senior’s needs. It’s also important to make sure that the food provided at the personal care home is nutritious and of good quality, and that the staff are trained and have experience in caring for seniors. The staff should be caring and easy to talk to, and your senior should feel comfortable around them. If your senior needs memory care, it’s important to make sure memory care is available on site as well.

Another thing to look at is the quality of the building itself. It should be kept in good condition and be outfitted with disability assistance as necessary. For example, if your senior is in a wheelchair, the house should be entirely wheelchair friendly. The layout should be easy to navigate, particularly if your senior struggles with memory issues. The home itself should be comfortable and welcoming, with appropriate furniture and lots of light. It should be kept clean, and hallways should be safe to navigate, with enough overhead lighting and no obstacles in the way. It’s also very helpful if the personal care home has some outdoor space where seniors can spend time. Outdoor activities are very beneficial for seniors’ physical and mental health, particularly because it’s an easy way for them to get vitamin D. There are also plenty of fun and easy forms of exercise that can be done outside. The personal care home should be in a safe neighborhood where you don’t have to worry about crime or other safety issues.

Finally, you’ll need to consider the practical aspects of the personal care home. You’ll want to make sure it’s close enough for family and friends to be able to visit easily. It’s also helpful if the home is located close to your seniors’ doctor’s office, and to any other places they may need to run errands. You’ll also need to determine the price of the personal care home and the leasing terms. How much does the home cost per month, and will your insurance cover it? Does the personal care facility offer any private financial assistance? The leasing terms should be very clear as well - you should know how long the lease runs for, how long your senior’s spot in the home is guaranteed, and the process for breaking the lease if you want to make changes to your living situation.

How can I talk to my senior about personal care homes?

For many seniors, the transition from living independently to assisted living or a personal care facility can be a very difficult one. It can be very hard to give up total independence and come to terms with the fact that your health is changing. If your senior is resistant to the idea of a personal care home, it’s important to be patient with them. Make sure you take time to listen to them and understand their concerns, and come to a compromise if possible. It’s also helpful to start talking to your senior about the idea of a personal care home before they actually need these services, so they can get used to the idea. Make sure to convey that you will still be there for them and be a big part of their lives. Many seniors don’t like the idea of being separated from their families, or worry that their family is going to abandon them, so it’s very important to address this issue. It’s also helpful to bring up that personal care homes offer care that’s very flexible and specific to your senior’s individual needs, so they can still maintain some level of independence if they are able to, but they’ll also get assistance and support to make sure they stay healthy. Viewing this change from a different perspective is often what seniors need to warm up to the idea of assisted living in a personal care home.

It’s also very important to make sure your senior is involved in the decision of which personal care home to go to. They need to feel comfortable and safe there, and they should be a part of any tours or interviews you take before making a decision. It’s important that their opinion is weighed heavily and that you take time to listen to any concerns they might have. If your senior has some level of control over where they live, they are much more likely to be comfortable with the idea of a personal care home.

How can I find personal care homes near me?

There are personal care homes located all over the United States, and there are many resources you can use to find one that’s a good fit for you. A good place to start is at SeniorLivingHelp.org, where we list all the senior care options available in your area. You can narrow down and filter your search for personal care homes by the type and cost of the home, which can help give you a short list. It’s also helpful to ask your doctor or a local senior center for recommendations. They will often be able to give you information on personal care homes that’s specific to your area and help you narrow down your options.